Yu Mingyue expected to be sleepless or have nightmares, but she slept soundly until dawn.
Chi Dan and the others squeezed onto the couch, some sprawled, some lying on their sides, making do for the night.
"Miss, Uncle Zhong is outside."
Yu Mingyue smiled and teased, "I thought my mother truly didn't care about me anymore."
"Miss always knows how to joke. Madam cares about you the most," Chi Dan said as she secured the hairpin in Yu Mingyue's hair.
Seeing Yu Mingyue safe, Uncle Zhong was so moved he almost shed tears.
"Uncle Zhong, how have you been on your journey?" Yu Mingyue asked with a smile, sipping tea and gesturing for Uncle Feng to sit down.
Uncle Zhong nodded, "This old servant is unharmed. Little master, you scared this old servant to death."
"When did Uncle Zhong become so timid?" Yu Mingyue raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced.
Uncle Zhong made a motion to wipe away tears, "Little master didn't return yesterday, and this old servant was worried sick. Were the Kongming lanterns last night released by little master?"
"Yes, if Uncle Zhong likes them, shall I send you one?" Yu Mingyue's expression was sincere.
Uncle Zhong quickly waved his hands, "This old servant cannot accept such a gift, cannot accept it."
His old bones couldn't handle the strain.
Little master's tactic of burning the connecting ships was well-executed.
Yu Mingyue knew Uncle Zhong wouldn't come unless he had something to say. Otherwise, if he were just escorting her back to the capital, he wouldn't have to make the trip himself.
"Uncle Zhong, if you have something to say, please say it quickly," Yu Mingyue said with a smile.
Uncle Zhong knew the little master was intelligent and couldn't be kept in the dark. "Madam was worried about little master and ordered me to take the hidden guards and quietly leave the city last night."
Yu Mingyue didn't interrupt Uncle Zhong. The old man was like this, always slow when it mattered most.
Uncle Zhong still managed the Yu family's hidden guards. Apart from her father and brother, the hidden guards obeyed his orders. Even her mother had no authority over them.
The hidden guards under her command were merely between visible and hidden, not core members.
This force of the Yu family could not be exposed. Even though Uncle Zhong called her little master, rules were rules. No one could be revealed except the future head of the Yu family.
Seeing Yu Mingyue's calm and unsurprised expression, Uncle Zhong continued.
"We encountered the Qianniu Guard on the road," Uncle Zhong paused again.
This time, Yu Mingyue tensed up, "Ah, we really encountered them?"
The Qianniu Guard were the Emperor's confidantes, and the news would likely reach the Emperor within a day.
Although many ministers kept their own secret guards, such matters were not to be spoken of openly and were kept in the dark.
"Not exactly. This old servant was recognized by Lord Xiao Xie, who helped us." It was truly thanks to Lord Xiao Xie's quick thinking last night.
"Uncle Zhong, next time, can you finish such matters in one go?" Yu Mingyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Uncle Zhong raised an eyebrow, "This old servant is old and cannot speak for that long at once."
Yu Mingyue pouted. She didn't believe him. She was sure Uncle Zhong could kill without batting an eye, as easily as chopping wood.
"Uncle Zhong, please continue. When you stop, I become so anxious," Yu Mingyue feigned fear.
"Almost forgot, this old servant brought a letter from Fifth Master," Uncle Zhong said as if he had just remembered.
"Fifth Uncle? He wrote to me?" Yu Mingyue exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, Fifth Master also instructed that it should only be shown to little master."
"Father and brother are also not allowed to see it?"
"Correct!"
"Wow!" Yu Mingyue looked overwhelmed with gratitude.
Uncle Zhong was no longer fooled by the little master's innocent and harmless expression.
The way little master handled Madam Hai's affairs was truly admirable. Honestly, even the Duke might not have had such courage.
After reading, Yu Mingyue frowned and looked at Uncle Zhong, "What does Fifth Uncle mean by this?"